Big milestone: Book #6 draft almost done! Plus Preparedness Tip 28

Aug 16, 2025 12:28 am

Hi friends,

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I'm almost there!

I’m less than 10 chapters away from finishing the first draft of Book #6 of Shieldwall Academy, a project that’s taken over four years and more than 1.3 million words to I finish.

I’ll still need about a month of editing (and there are a couple of juicy plot threads I plan to carry into a future follow-on trilogy).

But for now, I’m getting excited to wrap this phase up, take a few months to relax, and catch up on all the business tasks I’ve been neglecting.

Yeah, I haven't updated my website in forever, need to figure out some social media stuff and tune up my advertising, etc.

After that, I’ll be diving into a brand-new series. Got ideas? I’d love to hear what you’d like to see next.

And some exciting news: JS Arquin just finished recording Book 5’s audiobook. Now I need to submit it to Audible for the pre-order (those business chores just keep stacking up). Audiobook, ebook, and paperback will all release on October 3rd!

Imperial Chaos - Book #5!

Didn't the cover turn out awesome?

And keep reading: I’ve tucked in a handy preparedness tip you should consider next time you have clothes to donate.

But first, check out these awesome stories while you’re here. Just clicking the links helps support the newletter!

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The Hidden Princess by Mira Crest

Free Read!

A unique, magical, and deep Cinderella retelling

An ugly princess, proclaimed dead since birth, holds the key to saving humanity and fairy beings

Excellent selection of SFF eBook Deals!

Last Ember of Azrith by Rowan Ashborne

Free ebook!

An empire’s betrayal sparks a daring alliance. Destiny burns in the fight for freedom.

Tons of Epic Dystopian Reads!

The Midnight Society by Orion Blake

FREE ebook!

Abducted. Enhanced. Determined.

Get ready for a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that's out of this world!

Grab loads of FREE Dystopia ebooks!!

Preparedness Tip 28: Don't Donate it, Bag it!

Here’s a tip a lot of people haven’t thought of:

Next time you go through your closet and clean out clothes to donate, try this instead:

Make emergency sets of clothes.

Grab a food sealer or a freezer Ziploc gallon bag for each member of the family.
Toss in a pair of socks, underwear, a t-shirt, and maybe lightweight pants or sweats (so they will fit through multiple sizes).
Then press all the air out of the bag (or seal it).

That's it! Now you have a small sealed pack that is waterproof, bug-proof, and stays fresh for years - though kids' clothes will require more rotating.

Keep them in your car, in a go-bag, or at work. If anyone gets soaked in a rainstorm, spills something, or faces a sudden emergency, having a clean, dry change of clothes can feel like a luxury. And it doesn’t take much space at all.

By using clothes you were going to donate anyway, you don't feel bad about not getting enough use out of favorite clothes.

I'd love to hear little things you do to prepare for emergencies. And thanks for being amazing and supportive readers!